Nigeria: Community Conservation Manager

Sep 25, 2014 | CERCOPAN

The Centre for Education, Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature (CERCOPAN) is a UK-registered Charity (Reg. No. 1116955) with operations in Cross River State, Nigeria. Since 1995, CERCOPAN has worked to conserve Nigeria’s primates and rainforests. Taking an integrated approach to conservation, CERCOPAN’s work benefits monkeys, communities, and the rainforest to ensure long-term sustainable impact.

CERCOPAN works with the communities of Agoi Ibami (population 10,000), Iko Esai (population 4,500), and Owai (population 2,000) to ensure sustainable use of their community forests, which border Cross River National Park. People from these communities rely heavily on hunting, small-scale logging and collection of non-timber forest products for nutrition and income. The villages have signed community bylaws including bans on monkey hunting, snaring, and logging; the enforcement of which is strictly monitored by CERCOPAN. Land use is governed by a land use management plan which lays out zones for conservation, farming, and non-timber forest product extraction.

CERCOPAN runs a sustainable livelihoods programme in the communities including snail farming and afang cultivation. The livelihoods projects will be expanded in the coming years to effectively reduce pressure on the natural resource base by offering alternatives both in terms of income and nutrition. CERCOPAN has assisted in the formation of a Community Based Organisation (CBO) in each community, and provides capacity building training to ensure their effective functioning.

The ideal candidate will be patient, flexible and able to think laterally with a sense of humour and a positive outlook. They must have the ability to work well with people from different cultures, backgrounds and skills levels and to motivate and build confidence in a team environment. The Community Conservation Manager will be based in Iko Esai village, and therefore candidates must be willing to live in a remote location, in a small village environment.

Duties include:

• Coordinate and monitor livelihood projects, working particularly with women, youth and hunters groups.
• Relationship management in CERCOPAN’s partner communities in order to effectively mobilise community members for conservation.
• Write proposals and organise the CBOs to take advantage of other development programmes.
• Coordinate activities between various partners and parties working together on joint initiatives and NGO programmes.
• Develop land use plans, undertake needs assessments, capacity building of CBOs, etc.
• Maintain lines of communication between the community and the Director.

Essential:

• A Master‘s degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant field (International Development, Social Forestry, Environmental Studies, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, etc.).
• Experience in rural development projects.
• Understanding of the issues surrounding the bushmeat trade in West Africa.
• Affinity with conservation.
• Work experience in a developing country (preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa) and good understanding of development issues.

Desired:

• Staff management experience
• Proposal writing experience
• Experience in grassroots participatory processes (PRA, project development, OD, community land use planning, etc.) and gender sensitive approaches.

We offer:

A challenging position for those willing to make a 2-year commitment. Room and board will be provided, as well as a home flight, a modest stipend ($200 a month), and visa expenses. Insurance and vaccinations are the responsibility of the volunteer. A one year contract may be considered depending on qualifications and experience.

Please send covering letter, references (preferably email contact) and CV to claire.coulson@cercopan.org

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